Chapter 32: Stalemate

Rose held her chin high as we walked but she wasn't afraid to admit when she needed to stop to rest. Theodore was satisfied by our safe distance from the border and agreed to make camp for the night.

"Were you scared?" I asked Rose as we sat by the warmth of the fire.

Tobias sat beside us too as Theodore sat brooding on the other side of the fire.

"Of course I was, Esme," she said, "I didn't know where I was, I didn't know if Tobias was alive, I didn't know if I was ever getting out of there with my life. With so much uncertainty, I was terrified," she replied.

I nodded, "Did you feel weak?"

"Fear isn't a weakness, Esme," she continued, "It's a natural response to danger."

"It's what you chose to do with the fear that determines a person's strength," Tobias said, "They can either choose to let it break them or face it with courage."

"And I certainly refused to let those despicable men break me," Rose said squeezing my hand.

"Ho